Around Bridgeport

The next day, Martin decided to take a painting class to rev up that skill of his and make his paintings worth a little more money. He headed for the subway station near his apartment and hopped on a train.

Subways are the fastest way to get around in Bridgeport. It's actually quite annoying maneuvering around the city, because very few things are on the ground floor, and you always have to wait an irritatingly long time for the elevator. I guess it's realistic, but I'm not crazy about it.

Anyway, the subway deposited Martin outside the school, a dismal, forbidding prison of a building. He headed inside to take his painting class.

Painting Skill Level 2 firmly in hand, Martin headed to City Hall next. There, he registered as a Self-Employed Painter. Sadly, there is no option to scare the pigeons on the steps. What's the fun of living in a city if you can't scare pigeons? Boo.

That night, to celebrate his new status as a painter, Martin headed out. He does not aim low, this one...he bypassed the dive bars and dance clubs and headed straight for the Prosper Room, the most exclusive lounge in town. He did not, however, as a complete nobody, harbor any delusions about being allowed inside on his own merit. He bribed the bouncer with 100 Simoleons.

"You can go in, but don't cause any trouble, or you'll have to answer to my muscles," the bouncer replied. No. Really. He said that.

So Martin strolled in, sat at the bar, and ordered a Spline Reticulator from the pretty mixologist.

Now, this mixologist, talented though she may be, is a clear example of how things can be taken to extremes in this game. The Sims 3 Late Night expansion pack added a slider to the Create-a-Sim. Can you guess what that slider is? I'll give you a hint: it's only available to women.

Still can't guess? Okay, here's a view from the side.

That's right, everyone, female Sims now have the option of changing their breast size. And whoever created many of the female Sims in Bridgeport went a little too crazy with the slider, if you ask me.

Anyway, Martin ordered his drink, and it was made in the usual spectacular fashion.

Mmmm...refreshing!